Chapter 35: Can You Dance?
"Oh." Was all he said to the statement she made, and his disinterest was hardly hidden since he already knew the answer he would be getting.
"Lord Ivan." Ivy’s brown eyes stared deeply into the red orbs of Ivan, like she was looking for something, or was hoping she could see a little bit of interest in his eyes, but with no reaction, Ivy’s shoulders dropped slightly, and then she said.
"I’ve thought deeply about it, and my answer to your offer is no, My Lord. I cannot marry you." Ivy firmly made her decision clear to the Vampire Lord whose eyes widened slightly, but it wasn’t out of shock or anger. Since he had only dreamed of having Ivy refuse his proposal, for once, he could say his first ever dream came true.
"Please do not be offended, I know you need my help with the Palace affairs but.... Forgive me, I just cannot do this." Ivy lowered her dejected gaze, and the sadness she felt could not be comprehended since marrying Lord Ivan was her own perfect dream, but after what she saw yesterday, it was clear that Ivan would not recognize her feelings and would simply do as he wishes, and that was a more tragic pain she could not bring herself to encounter for the rest of her life.
"Are you.... Upset?"
"I told you this before." Ivan remarked softly, surprising Ivy whose eyelids blinked in startlement. "It’s not a demand, neither am I forcing you into it. It would be a shame if I got offended, but thank you, for being honest with your answer. It was.... A good decision." Offering her a half smile, Ivan walked away with Herbert following behind him, and Ivy’s yearning gaze lingered on Ivan who continued to walk down the hallway. The heavy pang in her heart intensified knowing she was the only one hurt by her resolution, and he still didn’t notice.
She was snapped out of her dazed trance when Claire showed up.
"Ivy?" Claire smiled at Ivy who appeared solemn, and a look of worry softly creased her eyebrow. "What are you doing standing here?"
Claire looked in the direction where Ivy’s gaze still lingered, but she saw no one there.
"Is anything the matter?"
Recovering a bit, Ivy smiled faintly at Claire before shaking her head. "No, everything is fine. I am just wondering if I really made the right decision," the tone of her voice dampened, confusing Claire the more, and then she shoved that thought away, putting her silent grief aside.